Eastern Towhee

About the Eastern Towhee

Also known as: Rufous-sided Towhee, Red-eyed Towhee, Towhee

The Eastern Towhee is a large species of sparrow that lives across eastern parts of North America. They breed across the northeast quadrant of the U.S. and into Canada; year-round they can be found in much of the southeast USA.

Male Eastern Towhees are striking with black heads, rufous sides, and white bellies. Female plumage follows a similar pattern, though they are duller overall.

Towhees feed by foraging for seeds or insects on the ground. They scratch at leaf litter by scooting backwards with both feet to reveal potential meals among the debris.

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Details & Statistics

Added to Birdorable
Hatched on 24 July 2012
Scientific Name
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
  • Passeriformes
  • Emberizidae
  • Pipilo
  • P. erythrophthalmus
Birdorable Family
Conservation Status
Least Concern (as of 6 April 2020)
LC
  • Least Concern (LC)
  • Near Threatened (NT)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Endangered (EN)
  • Critically Endangered (CR)
  • Extinct in the Wild (EW)
  • Extinct (EX)
Source: IUCN Red List
Measurements
Units: Imperial / Metric
6.8 to 8.2 inches
7.9 to 11 inches
1.1 to 1.8 ounces

International Names

Chinese (汉语) 棕胁唧鹀
Czech (Cesky) pipilo rudooký
Danish (Dansk) Rødsidet Buskspurv
Dutch (Nederlands) Roodflanktowie
Finnish (Suomi) loistopipilo
French (Français) Tohi à flancs roux
German (Deutsch) Rotaugen-Rötelgrundammer
Italian (Italiano) Pipilo fianchirossi occhirossi
Japanese (日本語) ワキアカトウヒチョウ [wakiakatouhichou]
Norwegian (Norsk) Rødsidetovi
Polish (Polski) pipil rudoboczny
Russian (русский язык) Красноглазый тоухи
Spanish (Español) Rascador nororiental
Swedish (Svenska) Brunsidig busksparv
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